As a man thinks…

At the beginning of the 20th century, James Allen, an English clergyman, wrote a remarkable book he titled As a Man Thinketh. He based his book on the verse above. Through the intervening years the book has inspired countless numbers of people. The central message of the book is “good thoughts can never produce bad results; bad thoughts can never produce good results.” It is a very simple formula.

The brain is a marvelous and vital part of our wonderful human machine. No amount of time for any amount of evolution can explain the brain. It is God made and God infused. No matter what action one takes it is anticipated and followed by thought. The Bible has told us that we are what we think. Think about such things (Philippians 4:8) is a given in the Bible.

How can I be a kind person? Think kind thoughts. How can I become a contented person? Think contented thoughts. You can live out what you think. Healthy living is a product of healthy minds. Thinking can determine the direction of your life.

John Chapman wrote, “Our goodness comes solely from thinking on goodness; our wickedness from thinking on wickedness.” You want to live a good life and avoid the pitfalls of the modern transgressor? Avoid the thinking that can lead you to bad choices and diabolical action. Want to get out of the ruts you have found so debilitating? Change the way you think. Troubled people have troubled minds.

If you find that your life is crazy, work on your thinking patterns. Bad patterns of thinking can destroy our lives just as cancer can destroy our bodies. Paul is clear about our thinking. Fix your thoughts on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things (Philippians 4:8)